Falke’s Renegade

by Anna Leigh Keaton

  He took his time traveling from her lips to her toes, and by the time he once more lay over her with his mouth mere centimeters from her own, her senses tingled with pent-up desire. But neither did she want to just take and not give, so she pushed him on the shoulder and smiled when he rolled to his back.

  His cock stood proud and more than ready to finish what they’d started, but she aimed for other targets as she laced their fingers together and kissed him breathless. The sweet friction of her nipples rubbing against his chest drew a deep moan of longing from her lungs.

  Teasing him, she inched down his body, planting licks, nibbles and kisses along his flesh. His soft bass rumbles of encouragement were music to her ears. But when she bypassed his eager cock to kiss his thigh, he growled with frustration.

  “Heidi...”

  She gave in and drew nearer to his heat. Taking his ball sac in her hand, she licked the length of his erection, pressed a soft kiss to the tip and tasted his salty essence.

  “Heidi.” His tone was more urgent, so she sucked in as much of his cock as she could and tilted her face up to look at him.

  His dark, passionate gaze burned into her memory before he turned away to press his head back on the pillow. He freed her hand to grab the back of her head and hold her in place while his hips lifted.

  “You’re going to be the death of me,” he said before pulling her off him a mere two strokes later. With impressive strength, he raised her up and rolled her beneath him in one quick motion.

  A smile tugged at her lips. “You didn’t like that?”

  “I liked it very much...too much.” He kissed her hard before she had a chance to draw breath, but the kiss was short-lived. “Stay there.”

  He climbed off the bed and retrieved a condom.

  She wanted to ask him to leave it off, to give her the children only a male shifter could, but she bit her tongue, refusing to voice such needs when he’d made it clear he would leave her tomorrow.

  Still, she couldn’t hide the tear that escaped a corner of one eye.

  After he crawled over her, he thumbed the dampness from her temple and stared into her eyes, a frown of unease on his face. “Do you want to stop?”

  She shook her head and cringed when a second tear fell. He began to push up. “No.” Unable to say more, she cupped his nape and pulled him down for another kiss. She didn’t want her emotional turmoil to ruin her last chance at happiness, if only for one night.

  After a brief, heart-stopping hesitation, he settled over her again and returned her kiss with keen interest. His entry was slow and tender and brought renewed moisture to her eyes.

  “Shhh... God, Heidi, please don’t cry.” He cradled her head in both hands and kissed her eyelids.

  “I can’t help it.” She drew in a shaky breath. “You feel too good.”

  Unlike the fierce outer shell he showed the world, the tough alpha unwilling to let anyone near his heart, he could be so gentle with her. He was a contradiction that confounded her, attracted her and destroyed the defenses she’d erected around her own heart.

  He nudged deeper even as he kissed that most sensitive of spots on her neck, beneath her ear.

  “Your tears unman me, chata.”

  She wrapped her legs and arms around him as if she could hold him to her forever. “You don’t feel unmanned.”

  His chuckle was a deep rumble against her chest. “What am I to do with you?”

  She hugged him closer. “Just love me, Javier.” Her voice dropped to a needy whisper. “Love me.”

  He kissed her then, her eyes, nose and mouth. And he rode out his passions within her body, driving her own arousal to new heights, until they each found the physical release they sought...if not the poignant bond of a true mating she desired.

  Chapter Twelve

  Just before sunrise, as dusky light seeped in through the partially opened curtains, Heidi awoke and wondered for a moment if she’d ever actually fallen asleep. Her body was pleasantly achy all over, and her tummy rumbled from the lack of dinner. The burgers they’d purchased the night before had been left untouched on the dresser, and she decided she’d toss them on her way out. But first, she spent several minutes staring at the deliciously naked man beside her.

  He slept peacefully, his handsome, almost exotic features softened in slumber. She was glad whatever nightmares normally plagued him had left him alone overnight. Perhaps their exhaustive sexcapade, which had stretched into the early morning hours, had helped him find one night’s peace.

  A part of her wanted nothing more than to remain exactly where she was, maybe wake him up and...

  But no, she couldn’t. Axel, and even Javier himself, had made it clear their time together was limited. And that time was up. Deciding not to remain for a painful goodbye, she slipped from the bed, dressed and left without a word or note of farewell.

  Two hours later, she walked into the clinic. Having showered, dressed and grabbed a bite to eat at her dads’ house, she felt somewhat refreshed if not prepared to face the day...without Javier. She missed him already but was determined to go on with her life without him. She had no other choice.

  Was he already gone? Maybe. Would she ever see him again? Probably not.

  She wished she’d at least gotten his cell phone number or an address where she could write to him. Then again, a long-distance pen pal wasn’t what she wanted either. Better to make a clean break, let him go and move on.

  Best way to do that was to keep busy.

  Mrs. Blake greeted her with a smile. “Good morning.”

  Heidi took a stack of mail from the pleasant receptionist, combining it with a couple of personal letters she’d brought from home and had not yet had the chance to read. “Thank you for opening up this morning.”

  “No problem, dear.”

  “Where’s Beth?” Her sister-in-law had left home a while before her. She should’ve arrived already, but her vehicle wasn’t parked outside.

  “She called to say she was dropping the boys off at the outfitters, and I asked her to pick up some office supplies. We’re out of paper clips and manila envelopes.”

  “Ah, okay. Pretty slow this morning,” Heidi said, noticing the empty lobby. It was still early. “When’s our first appointment?”

  “Not for another hour, but there was a gentleman who stopped by right after I opened up.”

  “Oh?” Heidi held her breath but couldn’t prevent the sudden, hopeful acceleration of her heartbeat. “Who?”

  Before Mrs. Blake could answer, the door chime sounded and Heidi turned to see who the customer was.

  “Javier,” she whispered, praying he wasn’t a hallucination.

  As thrilled as she was to see him, his enigmatic expression confounded her. Questions flooded her brain. Why was he here? Why did he not look pleased about it? Had Axel done something stupid? If her brothers had threatened him...

  “Where is he?” He took a deep breath and eyed her with such seriousness, Heidi quivered.

  “Where’s who?”

  Instead of answering, he stalked past her into the hallway that led to the back of the clinic and took another deep breath. He looked at Mrs. Blake. “You said a gentleman was here.” His tone made the term sound more like a curse than compliment.

  “You heard that?” the bewildered receptionist asked, and Heidi realized Javier had heard their conversation before he’d even entered the clinic.

  Javier didn’t answer the woman’s question but asked another of his own. “How long ago?” His stance and expression—hell, his entire demeanor—dominated the space and brooked no argument.

  Flustered, Mrs. Blake glanced at Heidi, who nodded. “Well, I’d say about twenty-five or thirty minutes ago. He arrived right after I turned on the Open sign.”

  “What did he look like? D
id you get his name?” Heidi asked, aware that the man’s scent must be what had Javier so riled.

  “No name. He wasn’t as tall as this one here,” she said with a gesture toward Javier. “Leaner too, but well groomed. Wore a dark suit and sunglasses. Made me think of an FBI agent or those characters in the Men in Black movies. Seemed pleasant enough. Strong accent, maybe Russian? He said he came by to inquire about the wounded cat that was in the news.”

  Heidi could tell by Javier’s scowl he didn’t like what he was hearing. “What did you tell him, Mrs. Blake?”

  “Just that there was no big cat being held here for treatment, but if he wanted to leave his contact information I could have you call him about it when you arrived. He refused. Said he’d come back later in the day. Here, I wrote it down.” The receptionist handed Heidi a small sheet of paper. “You know him?”

  “Not exactly. Excuse us, ma’am. I need to speak with Heidi alone.” Javier grabbed her arm, but she easily pulled free and read Mrs. Blake’s notes.

  Foreign man...Russian? FBI? Asked about black jaguar. Not a reporter. No contact info, but may return later today.

  The man knew the black panther was really a jaguar? That the news hadn’t been a hoax? “We can talk in my office.”

  Javier hesitated and, before she could stop him, crossed the lobby and flipped off the neon Open sign then locked the front door.

  “Hey! What do you—”

  “I suggest you close for the day.”

  Heidi scowled, not at all liking his high-handedness, even despite the strangeness of the unknown visitor. “And why would I do that?”

  “I will discuss it with you in your office.”

  Mrs. Blake touched her arm, briefly stopping her from trailing Javier. “Should I call the police?”

  “No, of course not. Javier is a close family friend. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Heidi gave the tenderhearted lady a pat on the hand. “But in the meantime, why don’t you hold all of my calls and leave the sign off for now. I’ll be back in a moment. If Beth arrives, send her to my office.”

  “Okay, but if you scream, I’ll have the phone in hand and the law on speed dial.”

  Heidi smiled, nodded and headed down the hall.

  Shutting the door once she was inside, she turned on Javier. “All right. Out with it. What in hell was all that about?”

  “He didn’t come back here. I would smell it if he had, but then again he didn’t have to. This place reeks of shifter scent.”

  “Who?” She let her exasperation show. Reeks indeed.

  “Lev Durchenko. The bastard who killed my family.”

  Surprise widened her eyes. “Oh. He was— You’re sure?”

  He tossed her an annoyed glance. “I would know his scent anywhere.”

  “That explains how he knew the so-called panther was a jaguar.” She held up Mrs. Blake’s notes and watched his scowl darken. Heidi set the paper and her unopened mail on the desk, leaned a hip against the edge and crossed her arms and ankles. “Why did you come here this morning?” He couldn’t have known Durchenko was in Leavenworth, could he? Had he picked up the man’s scent elsewhere and tracked him to the clinic?

  Javier stilled then shifted his stance.

  “With Durchenko here, I don’t have time for an inquisition.”

  “It’s one simple question, and I want an answer.”

  Javier stared at her for a long moment, so long she wondered if he’d ever respond. “You left the hotel this morning without saying goodbye.”

  “And you felt slighted?”

  Her question made him uncomfortable, which became obvious when he tried to change the subject. “You should send your receptionist home. It’s not safe here.”

  Heidi straightened. “Goodbye, Javier.”

  She turned toward the door, but he grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. “Wait a damn moment—”

  “Don’t take that tone with me. You wanted a goodbye—now you have it. You can leave as you promised. I can take care of my own.”

  Though she tried to twist free of his grasp, he held on. Anger darkened his gaze. “I needed to see you again.”

  “And so you have.”

  “I am not leaving now, not while you are in danger.”

  “Says who? You?” She pushed against his chest. “Let. Me. Go.”

  Instead, he shook her a little. “What has gotten into you? This is not a game, Heidi.”

  “I never said it was, but this is my business, my life. You have no right to tell me how to live it.”

  He released her so fast she stumbled before regaining her balance. When she met his gaze, his lips were pressed together, his eyes narrowed. He muttered something in Spanish, probably a curse, but she couldn’t be sure.

  “You’re right.”

  “What?” She hadn’t expected him to agree with her. Her overprotective brothers never did. They just bulldozed over her and anyone else who stood in their way.

  “I am not your mate, Heidi, or your alpha. I have no right to tell you what you should or should not do. But I do care about you, and I alone know what Durchenko is capable of.”

  “Tell me.” It was the one thing she’d wanted for so long, for him to open up to her about his past, the nightmares.

  “My brother was a federal police officer, a good one, who was investigating Lev Ivanovich Durchenko, an international criminal, member of a large syndicate, wanted for multiple crimes in Mexico, most involving high-level drug trafficking, money laundering and multiple murders. He was ordered to kill Juan, my brother, to hinder the investigation. Durchenko uses his shifter abilities to thwart the law. I have been after him since the day I returned from a military mission and found he had murdered my brother, our mate...and the unborn children she carried.”

  Heidi stumbled back a step, her gut twisting. “Oh, God...” Babies. No wonder he suffered nightmares.

  “I failed to protect them.”

  Shaking her head, she reached out and touched his arm. “You weren’t there. You can’t blame yourself.”

  “I am the alpha. It was my duty.” He didn’t shrug free of her touch, but his gaze was haunted. “I have been after Durchenko ever since. He is a killer and good at what he does. He leaves a trail of dead bodies wherever he goes, especially if things don’t go his way. I know him better than anyone, so you must trust me when I say you and your family are in danger.”

  “Why? You weren’t here long enough, and it’s been days. With all of the other animals in and out of the clinic, he couldn’t have picked up your scent here.”

  “Not my scent. Yours, and possibly Beth’s. Even in human form, I can smell Kelan and Reidar all over her. I just thank God she was not here this morning, or she might have been killed...or worse.” He took her by both hands. “You must warn Axel and your family. Beth is human, but so was my wife. No one is safe while there is a chance Durchenko is here.”

  He’d convinced her. Worried now, she said, “Beth is coming here.”

  “Call her right now, tell her to stay away from here.” He began to strip in front of her. “Send your receptionist home.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Shifting. My senses are stronger when I am in my cat. If Durchenko returns, and he will, I will be ready.”

  “You can’t fight him here.”

  “He thinks I am wounded, and your scent will be enough for him to stick around to try to gain the upper hand. Now is my chance.”

  “The clinic is too close to town.” Her family could handle themselves, but Heidi had no intention of leaving Javier to fight this battle alone. She had to get him someplace safe, away from the public eye, and preferably away from Durchenko.

  “Perhaps.” He shifted quickly. Almost before she could blink, the transition was over. He was s
o beautiful in his jaguar form.

  “Don’t move. I’ll send Mrs. Blake home.”

  She stepped out of her office.

  Do not set foot outside!

  She wouldn’t. She wasn’t stupid. Once she’d sent her receptionist away, promising her a day’s pay if she’d reschedule all the appointments from home, she called Beth and caught her just leaving the office supply store.

  “Don’t come to the clinic,” Heidi told her.

  “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  “I need you to go back to Catamount Outfitters. Tell my brothers to gather there and await my phone call.”

  “All right. Heidi, what’s this all about?”

  “Please, just do it for me. Go straight there and nowhere else. Okay?”

  “Fine, but—”

  “Straight there. I promise I’ll explain everything.” She hung up before Beth could argue and watched through the window to make sure Mrs. Blake made it to her car safely.

  What took you so long? Javier demanded when she opened the door to her office.

  “I didn’t leave the building, so lower your hackles. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to convince my sister-in-law to gather the family without giving a damn good reason?”

  Where are they gathering?

  “Axel’s store. Catamount Outfitters. It’s in the heart of the tourist district. You coming?” She grabbed her keys, purse and his clothes, stuffing the latter into a bag before heading for the front door. “Maybe you should limp or something, in case he’s got the place staked out.”

  You watch too many television shows. In spite of his sarcasm, Javier became much more attentive to their surroundings and moved cautiously as soon as they walked outside.

  With him at her heels, she locked up the clinic and went to open the passenger-side door for him before getting behind the wheel. She slipped the key in the ignition.

  You can drop me off at the edge of the river before you go the store.